Chapter 97
After traversing the foothills of the mountains, the terrain gradually lowers, and to the south lies an endless expanse of fertile land. Guarding this strategic location is Luoyang, nestled amidst the mountains and rivers.
Luoyang has a distinct climate, warm and pleasant, and is very close to Jiangzuo, a land known for its fish and rice. It also has convenient water transport connecting it to the Central Plains, which can support a larger population. Whenever Chang'an experiences a famine, the royal family and nobles would immediately move to Luoyang.
Luoyang was originally a prosperous place in Guanzhong. After the Empress established her capital in Luoyang, hundreds of thousands of people were relocated there. Officials, nobles, merchants and scholars from all over the country gathered in the capital, making the city's commerce even more prosperous. The main roads leading to Luoyang were bustling with carriages and horses.
Wei Mingsu went to Xiangzhou, and everyone was worried that he would stir up trouble again. However, after they left Xiangzhou, the Seventh Prince was only seriously ill from fright and no other news came out. As they were about to reach Luoyang, everyone gradually felt relieved and thought that the Seventh Prince had probably escaped a calamity.
On the tenth day of this month, the group crossed the river and, according to the itinerary, would arrive in Luoyang smoothly the day after tomorrow. With their worries about Xiangzhou behind them, everyone's mood brightened. Even though the crowds and strict checks at each city gate forced the group to slow down and patiently wait by the roadside to enter the city, smiles still appeared on everyone's faces.
Lu Huaying lifted her veil and stared blankly at a group of richly dressed people in front of the city gate in the distance.
"Third Sister, half of these people are going to the capital to see the peonies."
Seeing the sentimental look on her face, Pei Jingyao assumed that she had returned to the Central Plains and was reminiscing about the carefree days she spent in Chang'an when she was young. Fearing that she would be saddened, he rode up to her side and said with a smile.
He described the magnificent scenery of Luoyang to Lu Huaying. It was springtime, and Luoyang was ablaze with flowers and willows, with mountains, rivers, and pavilions reflecting each other. In addition, the peonies were in full bloom, exuding elegance, magnificence, and wonder. Every year during the peony season, the city was deserted, and literati from other places flocked to Luoyang to admire the peonies.
"Sanlang and I wander around the city in our spare time, and we've been to all sorts of places. We know where the most complete and beautiful peony varieties are. Sanniang, if you want to see peonies, I'll show you the way. We'll bring the best wine, and we won't leave until we're drunk."
Duan Sanlang happened to be passing by and, upon hearing this, burst into laughter, interjecting, "Wulang, you and Chai San have seen more than just the most beautiful peonies in the capital, haven't you? I remember you've traveled all over the south and north of the city. Everyone says you're quite the ladies' man, seeing all the flowers of Luoyang in a single day!"
His tone was teasing, and the "Luoyang flower" he was referring to was certainly not just any ordinary flower or grass. The young men around him understood his meaning and burst into laughter.
Pei Jingyao wanted to defend himself, but he was tongue-tied in front of Lu Huaying and could only glare at Duan Sanlang.
Duan Sanlang was not intimidated by him. Instead, he took advantage of the situation and started talking about the time he drank with Pei Jingyao in the brothel.
"I remember you had a lover when you left the capital, was it in Xiushanfang or Huairenfang..."
Pei Jingyao blushed and hurriedly rushed forward to pull Duan Sanlang away.
Lu Huaying smiled, turned around, and looked at a carriage in the middle of the procession.
Wei Mingsu didn't get off the carriage today, so I don't know how his injury is. It's scabbed over, so it should be healing.
It wasn't until the afternoon that the group entered the city. Officials and clerks rushed over to check their documents, handled some handover matters, and welcomed them to a mansion. They held a banquet to welcome them and discussed sending them to Luoyang the next day.
The banquet was prepared for Wei Mingsu and the scions of prominent families. Lu Huaying did not attend and went back to her room to pack her luggage.
A moment later, the sound of Tong Jin and others came from outside the courtyard gate.
The sound of speaking.
Lu Huaying opened the window and saw Wei Mingsu walking into the courtyard surrounded by his entourage.
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Wei Mingsu suddenly raised his eyes and glanced at Lu Huaying, who was standing by the window.
Their eyes met.
Wei Mingsu did not stop and walked over expressionlessly.
Lu Huaying watched Wei Mingsu's retreating figure.
The closer they got to Luoyang, the colder his attitude towards her became. Before, he wouldn't speak to her, and now he even looked at her like a stranger.
Lu Huaying looked up at the west and called to her companion who was walking behind her, whispering, "The banquet has only just begun, and you're already back?"
Tong Jin said, "My lord is injured and cannot drink alcohol, and he has never liked attending these banquets, so he only sat for a short while before returning."
Wei Mingsu has always been like this.
Four years ago, he also disliked banquets.
He was diligent and frugal, never wasting his time or being lazy. He would not squander himself in hardship, nor would he be detached from worldly affairs, adhering to the norms, and would not be indulged or confused by wealth, fame, or power...
So what exactly happened that turned Wei Mingsu into a cruel official?
As the Empress's position gradually stabilizes, she will eventually abandon the cruel officials. What will become of Wei Mingsu then?
Lu Huaying gazed at the setting sun in the west for a moment, then picked up her Xiliang knife and walked towards Wei Mingsu's courtyard.
Tong Jin stopped her.
She said, "We won't arrive in Luoyang until tomorrow, so we can't be careless. I'll come and keep watch tonight."
These days, she keeps watch with her colleagues every night.
Tong Jin went inside to report, and soon came out with a smile: "Third Sister, you can go back now. The young master said there's no need to trouble you tonight. Luoyang has already sent people over; they are from the Flying Cavalry Camp. They will escort the young master to Shangyang Palace tomorrow."
As they were talking, they heard the sound of horses' hooves outside the courtyard, and a group of men, each carrying a knife, entered the courtyard.
Lu Huaying withdrew.
The banquet to welcome the scions of prominent families lasted until midnight, and Pei Jingyao and the others were only helped back to their rooms in the early hours of the morning.
The next day, Lu Huaying checked the luggage and woke Pei Jingyao; it was time for them to set off.
Everyone hurriedly packed their luggage.
There was no movement in Wei Mingsu's courtyard. Pei Jingyao hesitated whether to go over and urge him. Pu Bu whispered, "Prefect Wei left last night. I heard he left in the middle of the night."
Lu Huaying was stunned.
Pei Jingyao and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
They didn't want to enter the city with Wei Mingsu. Informing was rampant, and cruel officials were rife with corruption. Even court officials were prone to suspicion, and their friends and relatives in the city might suspect they were planning to betray Wei Mingsu if they saw them traveling with him. They had been considering finding a suitable excuse to part ways with Wei Mingsu before entering the city, but before they could even speak, Wei Mingsu had quietly left, saving them from an awkward situation.
Pei Jingyao turned his head and whispered to Lu Huaying, "Third Sister, this is good, both for Wei Mingsu and for us."
Lu Huaying remained silent.
She understood what Pei Jingyao meant.
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